Bhopal Gas Tragedy Technical Series 1 of 4 , Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) Rundown & Storage System LEGEND NOTES

TO
ATMOSPHERE
Stainless steel 1. The final stage of MIC production
2 Carbon steel (iron) took place at the MIC Refining Still
CAUSTIC Stainless steel (see Note 2) (MRS), where MIC was distilled into
COOLER Carbon steel (iron) (see Note 2) the storage tanks.
Non-process utility piping
2. A clear path between the MRS and
the atmospheric vent (dotted lines)
6 7
ensured the production of 99% pure
MIC. Any restriction in this part of the
system could raise pressure in the
MRS above 2 PSIG; producing “off-
VENT GAS spec” (> 0.5% chloroform) MIC.
SCRUBBER 3. “Off-spec” MIC in the storage tanks

E-408
(VGS) FLARE
FLARE KNOCKOUT DRUM could be (1) transferred into E-619 for
TOWER UNIT
blending with “on-spec” MIC, (2)
VENTS returned to the MIC Unit for
TO VGS ACCUMULATOR reprocessing, or (3) routed to the VGS
WATER
TO REPROCESSING (PYROLIZER CONDITIONER) accumulator section for destruction.

CAUSTIC TO E-619 (REACTOR CONDITIONER) 4. MIC was continuously passed

OVERFLOW AIR through a refrigeration system to
PUMP DRAIN SUMP RELIEF VALVE VENT HEADER (RVVH) reduce vapor pressure and thus
5 PROCESS VENT HEADER (PVH) NITROGEN unnecessary and avoidable product
losses by evaporation.
DRY
NITROGEN VENT 5. A steady flow of nitrogen entered
processreliability@gmail.com

CWR MAKEUP
VALVE VALVE STRAIN- the tanks and exited the
OVERHEAD MIC ER atmospheric vent to (1) carry
VAPOR PI PI PI residual MIC vapor into the VGS, (2)
Kenneth Bloch

CWS BRINE IN PI ISOLATION

BRINE OUT VALVE prevent igniting flammable MIC,
COMMON
and (3) inhibit carbon steel
MIC REFINING 1 VALVE
corrosion (all lines shown in red).
STILL (MRS) PIC PIC PIC
PI PI PI 6. The Vent Gas Scrubber (VGS)
LAH LAH LAH UTILITY removed toxic components from
E-210

CRUDE MIC TAH TI LI LAL TAH TI LI LAL TAH TI LI LAL STATION process vapor prior to atmospheric
discharge.
7. The Flare Tower’s purpose was to
REBOILER
STEAM
burn off any excess harmful vent
gas remaining after VGS treatment.
COND E-619 E-611 E-610
Drawing adapted from:
TO MIC
MIC
RUNDOWN MIC REJECT MIC STORAGE MIC STORAGE .. . https://tinyurl.com/y3m7w3y5
https://tinyurl.com/y68pchar
SYNTHESIS TANK TANK TANK TRANSFER https://tinyurl.com/y2nxygvx
BOTTOMS
PUMP SAMPLE
PUMP
STATION
TO MIC
REJECT LINE
DERIVATIVES
REJECT LINE
3
CIRCULATION
REJECT
PUMP REJECT LINE
DISTRIBUTION
MANIFOLD

REFRIGERATION 4
SYSTEM

“As-Built”
UCIL Bhopal India MIC Rundown & Storage The Bhopal Medical Appeal
Process Flow Diagram